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Sharing the Spark with the New Generation

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This article was published 30/11/2023 (1035 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Trev’s Electric Ltd has been in business for 13 years, serving the North for commercial, residential and industrial electrical needs. They offer a wide variety of electrical installation and maintenance services in The Pas and surrounding communities, including lighting installations, service and inspection of electrical panels, general maintenance and repairs, and more.

“Whether you’re looking to replace the lighting in your office or small business or require the complete rewiring of your space, we can help,” says Melissa, administrator for Trev’s Electric. “Our trained electricians are dedicated to offering you quality workmanship no matter the size or scale of the job. At Trev’s Electric Ltd, our number one priority is customer satisfaction. We’ll do our best to provide you with exceptional service at the most affordable prices.”

In the past year, Trev’s Electric has taken on two new electrical apprentices through the First Peoples Development Inc. (FPDI) Apprenticeship Support Project. The Apprenticeship Support Project provides a $5,000 incentive for small and medium employers with 499 employees or less to hire a first-year apprentice in any of the 39 Red Seal trades. Companies that take up the offer and the program itself are working towards addressing a coming shortage in all trades.

According to a BuildForce Canada report, nearly a quarter of the country’s current construction workforce is expected to retire by 2030. Fewer younger workers are entering the trades to fill the gaps that retirees will leave. As such, the federally funded Apprenticeship Support Project aims to introduce a new generation to the skilled trades and address the looming labour gap.

“We hoped that we’d be able to hire more fresh apprentices without the financial burden of training them, and that’s exactly what this program does,” Melissa says. Training new employees can be a hurdle for businesses in the trades because you’re essentially paying two people for every job while the senior employee trains the apprentice, she explains. When you’re learning, there’s also a certain amount of material waste that has to be factored in. Melissa says she initially heard about the program through an email flyer.

“I have sent that flyer to everyone I know that could benefit,” she says. “It was a very easy process. We’ve been able to hire two fresh apprentices and train them from the start of their growing career path. It’s a great program. Great for the businesses, employees and to help grow trades for the future.”

To find out more or apply, visit takeonthetrades.ca. If your business qualifies, you could receive up to $20,000 to hire two first-year Red Seal apprentices per year. There is particular emphasis on empowering people not typically represented in Canada’s skilled labour force. If an apprentice belongs to an equity-deserving group, including women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous people, members of the LGBTQ2+ communities, newcomers and visible minorities, employers can receive an additional $5,000 per apprentice toward their onboarding and employment.